FG begins free BPO training for 50,000 youths

Founder of Ethica Resolve CC and key expert in the BPO component of the iDICE Training-to-Jobs programme, George Badejo-Adegbenga.

The Federal Government, through the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises Programme, has opened applications for free business process outsourcing training for 50,000 young Nigerians across the South-West.

The programme, implemented through the Bank of Industry and co-financed by the African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement and the Islamic Development Bank, is aimed at equipping young people with digital and business process outsourcing skills while connecting successful participants with employment opportunities.

In the South-West, the programme is being delivered through a joint venture between Premier Startups Limited and Ethica Resolve Nigeria Limited, organisers said in a statement on Tuesday.

The training will cover customer service, data, digital and back-office operations and will be delivered through virtual and hybrid learning formats, with participants who complete the programme receiving industry-recognised certification.

Training will last between four and eight weeks, with the 50,000 slots distributed across the six South-West states.

Lagos has been allocated 10,000 slots, while Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states will each receive 8,000 slots.

The programme is also designed to connect trained participants with employers, including international companies recruiting skilled talent from the region, with opportunities potentially available in office-based, hybrid or fully remote roles, depending on employer requirements.

Participants may be trained for roles including customer service and contact-centre operations, telesales and lead generation, account management, data entry and management, data annotation, quality assurance, content moderation and virtual assistance.

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Other areas include finance and human resources administration, digital marketing, social media management, content writing, graphic and UI/UX design support, as well as information technology and technical support.

The programme organisers said the initiative was designed to take advantage of the growing opportunities for Nigerian professionals to provide services to international companies remotely.

“At least 40 per cent of available places are reserved for women,” the organisers said, adding that the programme would also undertake dedicated outreach to young people who are not in employment, education or training, as well as persons with disabilities.

The programme is open to people aged 15 to 35 who reside in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo or Ekiti states.

Applicants are required to have at least an SSCE or equivalent qualification, or demonstrable functional literacy, and must possess a valid National Identification Number.

Unemployed and underemployed youths, first-time jobseekers and those not currently in education, employment, or training are particularly encouraged to apply, while women and persons with disabilities are also encouraged to participate.

Applications are open online and will close on September 30, 2026, or earlier if all available places are filled.

The iDICE BPO Training-to-Jobs Programme is a Federal Government initiative implemented through the Bank of Industry and co-financed by the African Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement and the Islamic Development Bank.